This Study Guide consists of approximately 68 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more -
everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Chapter 10 Summary

Harry went to his first private lesson with Dumbledore, wondering why and what. Upon his arrival, Dumbledore took out his Pensieve and explained that they needed to learn about Voldemort's childhood. They used Bob Ogden's memory to begin: they saw Bob Ogden talking to a mean man, Marvolo Gount, who was next to last of Salazaar Slytherin's line, about his son Morfin having broken the law by performing magic in front of Muggles. Marvolo's response was to berate his daughter, Merope, who, Dumbledore explained, later used a love potion on a Muggle named Tom Riddle and, after she became pregnant, she either quit giving it to him or it stopped working. Tom Riddle left Merope and never asked about their child.

Chapter 10 Analysis

Harry had experienced two kinds of homes, the cold and banal one of the Privet Drive Dursleys and the warmth...